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Ayr United gained ground on promotion rivals Raith Rovers and Dunfermline with a comfortable win at Alloa.

Luke McCowan chested in the first from a couple of yards before Andy Murdoch knocked in his first goal of the season.

Unfortunately the impressive Cammy Smith was red carded late on for a second yellow as an arm caught Scott Taggart in the face.

Ayr move into fourth, level on points with Raith and three off Dunfermline.

Alloa remain winless at the foot of the table on just one point.

The hosts did have their chances, with Liam Dick's scissor kick saved and Innes Murray failing to connect with a precise Liam Buchanan cross.

Ayr manager Mark Kerr: "There's so much more to come from these boys. Today we got to show a bit of quality and defended really well. There's loads of potential in this squad."

Alloa manager Peter Grant: "We got into good areas and our final ball wasn't good enough. We had too many good chances we didn't take."